Details about  JAPANESE LITHOPHANE DRAGON TEA SET 1930-1950 SLIP CLAY

They are stamped underneath with a HHP encircled by a red wreath. This could either allude to the fact that it's hand painted, or that HHP porcelain has been used. It could have been produced by Noritake, Nippon......

"Moriage is the term used to describe the layering of small beads or lines of slip clay onto the surface of the pottery which is then glazed over to leave a relief that can be felt and seen. Pottery such as Dragonware featured this style and method heavily. Although it began to be made in the late 19th century, Dragonware is still made today and is still very popular, being exported all over the world. Some of the teacups will have a lithophane inside the bottom of them. This is a raised design, usually of a woman's face or full body, known as a Geisha. It can be seen clearly when held up to the light. The Geisha adds value to a teacup

 The first Geisha is "Sad Geisha" and these lithopanes are the most common, this one being of the highest quality found

The second Geisha is "Worried Geisha", these are found less often

5 cups have the worried Geisha and one cup has Sad Geisha

Only one small chip and that is the teapot lid which I have highlighted, although it is not visible when sat on top of pot

I have found the following information on this type of Japanese tea set

Dragonware (Jap.)

Dragonware is a term used to describe Japanese porcelain items with a raised or moulded decoration mostly depicting an oriental dragon.

Porcelain of this type dates from the end of the 19th century until the mid 20th century over which time styles and materials changed dramatically. Many dragonware pieces are created with a cake frosting type of decoration called "Moriage" in which a slip clay has been applied for a three-dimensional effect.

Moriage

Slip or colored clay string decoration on Japanese porcelain, in look not unlike 'cake frosting' in which a diluted clay has been used to give the piece a three dimensional appearance. Produced in Japan from the end of the 1800's until the mid 1900's reflecting the western interest in the exotic, of the late 19th century period. Over the time styles and materials changed.

One characteristic type of Japanese export porcelain are thin porcelain tea sets decorated with a women's face in high relief in the bases - see lithophane. This feature together with vivid dragons in moriage was made during the late 1930s into the late 1950s. Most Dragonware pieces are decorated with moriage.